King's Daughter Series
"The Making of a Man" - Part 2

"How Do You Raise A Prince"

How do you raise or make a male child and even a daughter more precious than fine gold?  And even more precious than the golden wedge of Ophir?  To answer this question let us examine the scriptures to learn what God constitutes more precious than gold and gold that comes from Ophir.
 
Ophir, the son of Jok’tan, is first mentioned in Bereshit (Genesis) 10:29, along with other sons in particular Sheba and Havilah.  Jok’tan was the younger son of Eber whose name in Hebrew is “HaIvrie” which means,  “the Hebrew or the one who stands on the opposite side.” Eber was the ancestor of Abraham—the one who birthed the Hebrew nation by obeying God and literally standing on the other side of the world because he believed in only One God.  The name Havilah comes from the Hebrew root “zahav” which means “gold.” Genesis 10:29.  Ophir is specifically the name of a place.  The Hebrew letters that make up the name Ophir (aleph-pey-resh) also exist in another word “Aypher.”  This word means, “ashes, dust, headband, a vehicle to carry.”  These letters also make up the name “Ephrayim,” which means, “doubly fruitful.”  It is interesting to note that all three of these names re-appear in the book of Kings and Chronicles during the building of Solomon’s Temple.
 
In first Kings 9:28, we read about how the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon went to Ophir and fetched four hundred and twenty talents of gold to bring to Solomon. Following their visit to Ophir, the queen of Sheba went to Jerusalem to see for herself the kingdom of Solomon.  She brought with her not only a great train of camels bearing an array of spices and precious stones, but also very much gold.  It is believed that the queen mentioned in Psalm 45:9 is the queen of Sheba.  In 1st Chronicles 29:4-7 we learn what King Solomon did with the gold that he received from Ophir.  Not only did he make shields of Gold from the gold given by others, but he also gave of his own store of gold to overlay the walls of the houses.  His giving was in direct reflection with the affection he set upon the house of God, “Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.”  Then all that consecrated his service to the LORD gave gold to the house of God.
 
In Job 22:22-30, prayer and the removal of iniquity produces the laying up of gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.”  In Job 28:16, wisdom and understanding cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir or with pure gold—their value is far beyond the value of any earthly treasure.  Psalm 19:10 says that, “the Torah or the commandments of God are more to be desired than gold, even fine gold.”  Psalm 119:127 reads, “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold.”  Proverbs 3:13-14 says, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”  Then Wisdom speaks in Proverbs 8:13-21 with these eloquent words, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate.  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:  I am understanding; I have strength.  By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.  Riches and honor are with me; durable riches and righteousness.  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:  that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”
 
In a marriage relationship the man represents power and the woman represents wisdom.  Wisdom has always been considered the weaker of God’s nature, although it was through wisdom that he destroyed the works of the Devil.  
 
Therefore, the way you raise a prince is by instilling within him God’s Word.   You instill it through speaking it, living it, and teaching it.  As a mother, you exemplify wisdom and understanding to your child, while your husband can demonstrate strength, true humility and leadership to your children. 
 
Together you can raise a balanced child possessing the nature of God and what it takes to be a prince!